When I was first introduced to the Stardust Collection at Walker Zanger’s Los Angeles showroom, my mind immediately began swirling with thoughts of the glamourous moments that could be created while entertaining at home. Highly-textured lava stone mixed with metallics may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about creating the perfect dish for guests, but for me as a food and tabletop stylist, it definitely lends the opportunity for unexpected luxury. This collection is filled with deep dark hues and warm earth-toned palettes while showcasing a slight twinkle of celestial sparkle mixed with patterns reminiscent of 70s glam and opulence—all of these scream, “Oh là là!”

I’ve picked three of my favorites from the collection and turned each into a spirited, culinary pairing. From era-appropriate cocktails to foods that mimics the colors and textures of each tile, I’m so excited to share my inspiration from the Stardust collection with you! It’s five o’clock somewhere…

Cosmos in Glam

Happy hour is the perfect time to play up the drama with dark colors and texture. Serving a shared dish—such as steamed mussels in a butter garlic sauce alongside a few coupes of champagne—makes for an easy-to-pull-together (but still luxurious) way to celebrate moments together at home. The inspiration for this dish pairing was the black and grey metallic notes in the color Glam that are very similar to the mussels’ shells. Slight sand-like texture from the lava stone paired with a glimmer of iridescence… these two are a match made in heaven, especially when you tie in the dark flatware and blooms. Never be afraid of monochromatic décor; the impact can be surprisingly stunning when layering different textures!

Link in Twilight + Apollo in Moon Rock

The minute I saw the Link tile in Twilight, I felt like I was sitting in a swanky, mid-century hotel lounge. The tiles are strong, the texture is striking and it makes you want to take a seat and enjoy the view… perhaps with a tropical cocktail in hand!? Tiki cocktails were making a moment during this era, and the Singapore Sling was one of the most popular drinks of the time. This vibrant libation was considered both glamorous and exotic—not to mention it is both daring in color and garnish, which pops off so perfectly from the tile’s moonscape tones! I really felt the need to play with pattern for this cocktail and doubled up the Link tiles on top of Apollo in Moon Rock. By sticking to a common color theme, contrasting patterns deliver a very strong geometric message without feeling too busy. But make sure you don’t stop the layering there! Design doesn’t stop on the table top—make sure to carry the theme over into your cocktail as well by having fun with the garnishing. Try to experiment with contrasting colored tropical fruits in fun shapes and textures topped with edible blooms. There is no question that this happy hour will transport you into sunshine no matter what time of year!

Hexagon Mosaic in Solar

Is there anything more magnificent than the natural pattern found in the bee’s honeycomb!? So structured and perfect—a pattern so soothing on the eyes. When I saw this tile, I knew I had to choose the Solar colorway; the warm natural tones with a slight sunlit gleam reminded me of the natural grasses lining a honeybee farm I recently visited in Point Reyes, CA. To take that gorgeous memory further, I wanted to mirror those shapes, textures and colors with a beautiful cheese board for friends using fresh honeycomb from the farm. Where a cheese board is a common sight at many gatherings, it should never be boring! By adding vibrant ingredients that range from sour to sweet and play off the tile’s color palette, you create an adventure of flavors to try. Fruits and pickles play nicely together, especially when arranged delicately around cheeses of choice. By topping your masterpiece with a brick of fresh honeycomb, you’re adding an unexpected whimsical touch that will be appreciated by all… and what a perfect time of year to start playing with different flavor combinations for the upcoming holidays!

Thank goodness there’s a weekend in sight with so many happy hours to entertain with any of these recipes in mind. Even better, let’s mix together all three. Which tiles get you in the mood to entertain with the sparkle and glamour of the Stardust collection!?

We’d like to welcome our guest blogger, Kris Jarrett, who shares simple tips and ideas for decorating homes with style and timeless design on her blog Driven by Decor. We’re thrilled to have her share her passion for the beautiful new tiles from Walker Zanger’s Studio Moderne: Century Suite collection and how she envisions them being used in today’s kitchen and bath designs.

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I love the warm, welcoming feeling of a home decorated in layered neutrals and am excited about kicking my neutral decorating up a notch by using “huetrals,” a term coined by interior designer Michael Berman to describe his color palette of neutral hues as seen in Walker Zanger’s gorgeous new Studio Moderne: Century Suite collection. The tiles from this new collection were created in collaboration with Berman, in which one of his goals was to “create original and fresh shapes with gorgeous ‘huetrals’ that are inspired by iconic California architecture.” And let me tell you, they’re anything but boring! These tiles have beautiful graphic patterns and dimension while still maintaining a classic simplicity that will keep them in style for the long run:

The options for integrating Studio Moderne: Century Suite tile into kitchen and bath designs are endless since their huetral palette allows you to freely mix and match with endless finishes and colors. You can even choose to use some of the patterns in tandem, like the “Ambassador” and “Diplomat” tiles, or separately depending upon how bold of an architectural backdrop you wish to create. I’d love to see “Diplomat” as a kitchen backsplash paired with Walker Zanger’s gorgeous Calacata Borghini countertops, a sexy undermount sink and faucet, and a mix of metal and wood finishes:

“Rambler” reimagines one of Studio Moderne’s most popular designs “Fretwork” in a smaller scale that works as beautifully in bathrooms as it does as a kitchen backsplash. The sterling hue is amazing!! It would look stunning in a bathroom paired with light gray walls, a warm wood vanity, and contemporary stainless faucets and shower hardware:

Another tile favorite of mine is “Montclair” with interlocking, elongated hexagons that were inspired by mid-century Neo-Egyptian styling. I see it as a show-stopping feature in a spa-like bathroom designed with watery hues, clean-lined hardware & fixtures, and a crisp white freestanding tub:

What do you think? You can check out the other beautiful tiles in Walker Zanger’s Studio Moderne: Century Suite collection {here} and find out more about the latest in kitchen and bath design trends {here}. Thanks so much for having me Walker Zanger!

Walker Zanger is excited to be participating in the Pasadena Showcase House again this year. Each year we look forward to working with some of the most talented designers in Los Angeles County as they completely renovate a historic home in the Pasadena area. Walker Zanger tile and stone have been used in the Pasadena Showcase House for over 25 years.

The result is a stunning 18,000 sq foot Showcase House featuring the latest and greatest in interior design and furnishings, including Walker Zanger Tile in multiple rooms! The original estate was worth around $20,000 and was part of the 100 acres originally purchased by Senator Frank Putnam Flint in 1916 who developed and designed La Canada Flintridge. This year’s estate is one of the largest ever redone by Pasadena Showcase House.

Master Bathroom

The main bathroom of the Pasadena Showcase House of 2016 was designed by Ederra Design Studio. who designed the Main Kitchen in the 2015 Showcase.

Guest Bathroom

The guest bathroom was designed by Julia Wong Designs.

Powder Room and Family Room Bar

The Powder Room was designed by Robert Frank Design.

Butler’s Pantry and Kitchen

The Butler’s Pantry and Kitchen was designed by GH Wood Design

If you live in the Los Angeles area, we strongly recommend that you visit this year’s beautiful show house, which is open through May 15, 2016. For more information, check out www.pasadenashowcase.org.